Student Assessment Recommended Practices: Taking Assessments

Do not wait until the last minute to take exams; if you experience technical problems they will take time to be resolved.

Allocate ample time and ensure that there are no distractions during the time you are taking the test (especially if it is a timed test and/or only one attempt is allowed).

Do not enter exam until you are ready to take it or you may be locked out of exam (especially if your instructor has set it up to only allow for one attempt).

Once you have entered an exam do not leave until finished.

If you experience difficulty immediately notify your instructor. The Help Desk cannot assist you if you get "locked out" of a test.

Ensure you are using a browser that is compatible with Blackboard have the correct settings (this information can be found on the Blackboard login page or by clicking on the "Students" tab once you are logged into Blackboard).

Disable any "pop-up blocker" software that you have installed on your computer.

Ensure you have a reliable Internet connection.

Avoid using wireless Internet connection.

Close all other applications, especially instant message applications like AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, etc.

Maximize browser window and do not resize or refresh during the exam.

Do not use return/enter key or browser navigation buttons; use buttons provide in exam.

If you must navigate between applications use keyboard commands (e.g. Alt-Tab in Windows).

Do not double click exam links or buttons (single click only).

Do not attempt to print the exams.

Do not attempt to access other web pages or files during exam -- this may cause exam to fail.

Do not click outside exam area. For example, do not click any Blackboard menu links such as Assignments or Announcements.

Do not answer any questions until entire exam has loaded. You can follow the downloading of a exam by monitoring the browsers Status Bar Indicator found at the bottom of the browser window.

Type answers to essay questions in word processor then copy and paste the answers into Blackboard (that is, into the text fields provided for each essay question). This way, you have a copy of your answers just in case you lose your Internet connection and need to re-take the exam.

When your exam is presented one question at a time always use the Save button before you go to the next question.

When your exam is presented with all questions showing, avoid using Save button adjoining the question; instead use the Save button at the bottom of the page after you have answered two or three questions.

At end of exam ensure you select Submit and not Save. Only Submit will send the completed exam to the instructor.

Click Submit only once. If your Internet connection is slow, you may think the quiz is not being sent. Wait at least 3-5 minutes for a confirmation that your quiz was received. The quiz must be sent, scored, and the results returned to you.

When you receive the confirmation, print the screen so that you will have a record of your attempt.